As part of national efforts to have the European Commission (EC)'s "yellow card" warning lifted, the southern province of Dong Thap has intensified communication campaigns to raise fishermen’s awareness of combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing from the very start of the year’s fishing season.
Gia Thuan commune, located in the eastern part of the province, is a key fishing locality with 563 fishing vessels, including 423 offshore boats and 140 nearshore vessels, producing an average annual catch of over 42,970 tonnes of seafood.
Following the Lunar New Year or Tet holiday, local fishing boats have set out to sea for the first fishing trips of 2026. On February 22, 364 vessels with about 2,050 crew members have begun their voyages. To improve compliance with regulations on legal fishing and catch reporting, the commune authorities have coordinated with border guard and fisheries surveillance forces to conduct awareness campaigns at Vam Lang fishing port before vessels depart.
Ha Tran Phuong Thuy, Vice Chairwoman of the Gia Thuan People’s Committee, said the locality continues to strictly implement provincial directives on combating IUU fishing to contribute to national efforts to remove the EC’s yellow card and promote responsible and sustainable fisheries development.
Local authorities have directed the commune’s economic unit to work with relevant agencies and the Kieng Phuoc Border Guard Station to strengthen communication activities, ensuring fishermen understand and comply with legal regulations on seafood exploitation while avoiding IUU fishing violations. Inspections and strict handling of violations are also being intensified to meet EC recommendations and improve seafood traceability and certification.
Border guard forces have also distributed leaflets and provided guidance to captains and fishermen, reminding them to comply with regulations on fishing grounds, gear and operational routes, as well as to avoid encroaching on foreign waters.
At the Vam Lang Border Guard Control Station, officers work around the clock to complete departure procedures quickly while ensuring strict supervision, facilitating fishermen’s safe and lawful fishing trips.
According to Nguyen Lam Tuan, Deputy Commander of the Kieng Phuoc Border Guard Station, fishermen are required to sign commitments to comply with regulations and must ensure that vessel monitoring systems remain operational throughout their trips. These measures help enhance fishermen’s awareness and prevent violations of anti-IUU fishing regulations, contributing to efforts to have the EC's yellow card lifted.
Dong Thap currently has 1,507 fishing vessels with a total engine capacity of 405,974 CV, employing around 9,590 fishermen. All vessels have been equipped with vessel monitoring systems.
Thanks to coordinated communication efforts and enforcement measures, the province recorded no IUU fishing violations in 2025, according to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment./
